An imaginative critical thinker and problem solver

Energy Engineering: Energy Management

In this module, students work in small groups to create a case study report for a local company, Penryn Car Repairs. The brief asks each group to propose their own strategy for data gathering, for instance, the use of sensors and instruments, and are required to consider cost as well as adequacy of data produced, basing their recommendations on real and estimated values. Students then present their work to the owner of Penryn Car Repairs, other students and a selection of CEMPS staff. The opportunity to work in conjunction with a local business provides an opportunity for students to apply problem-solving, investigative and prioritisation skills to a real-life scenario.

CSM2045 – Dr Kev Hughes

‌Philosophy: Evidence and Argument

This module introduces students to argumentative reasoning with a strong focus on constructing, analysing and evaluating arguments. Students develop their skill in these areas through independent exercises on logic and critical thinking, as well as practical exercises and discussion. The ability to construct arguments and distinguish between those that are good and bad arguments is a useful skill not just in academic studies, but also in the workplace and everyday life.

PHL1005A – Dr Edward Skidelsky

Biosciences: Journal Clubs

In Biosciences 'Journal Clubs', taking place across the college, students work in small groups to analyse, evaluate and present a primary publication journal article. The presentations are then followed by questions and discussions involving the whole class. This provides students with an opportunity to develop critical thinking skills in relation to key research in their field.

An active global citizen

Biosciences: Living in Groups

This module takes students beyond the taught academic content through a lecture on 'Wider Applications', linking the subject matter to real-life applications and outcomes. This allows students to consider how the knowledge they develop in their degree can be applied to a range of potential fields of work and research. The module content is updated every year to explore contemporary research areas.

BIO3400 – Dr Sarah Hodge

Politics and International Relations: The Research Toolkit in Politics and International Relations

This research-based group project asks students to answer a brief set by local organisations. Projects have focused on a range of important social issues, including the housing crisis in Falmouth, student disengagement with campus politics, disaster relief charities and ethical clothing. It is anticipated that through the completion of the project, students will be able to make a contribution to the work of their respective organisations, with representatives also being invited to the final presentations. This provides an excellent opportunity for students to engage with the local community and apply their research skills to real-life issues.

POC2083 – Dr Cristiana Olcese

Business and Management: Co-operative Business Plan

In these modules, students work in groups to identify a social need, such as housing or leisure, and develop a co-operative business plan that could be launched on graduation. As part of this, students explore how co-operatives as a social economic model can contribute to community development, as well as the issue of sustainability. The business plans are assessed through a 'Dragon's Den' style presentation, which is followed by feedback from a panel including guest co-operative representatives, providing perspectives from industry. This allows student to consider how the skills developed through their academic studies can be used to approach real social issues.

BEM3038: Co-operative Enterprise – Dr Adrian Bailey

BEP2070: Social Enterprise – Debbie Stewart and Stephen Hickman

‌Theology and Religion: Philosophy of Religion and Christian Ethics

This module enables students to engage with some of the key questions raised by religious belief and Christian teachings about ethics. The content revolves around local church communities, including a visit and talk at the University's own Mary Harris Memorial Chapel. Students work on a team report exploring various aspects of a church, such as practice of worship, liturgy, hymns and songs, hospitality, care for the sick and attitudes to sex and marriage. They are encouraged to explore these areas first-hand through contacting church leaders and participating in services, and are also required to consider the ethical implications of their research through the completion of an Ethics Proposal Form. As such, this is a good opportunity for students to link the subject matter to lived experience and the local community.

THE1106 – Dr Esther Reed and Dr Jonathan Hill

Modern Languages: Dictatorship on Display: History Exhibitions in Germany and Austria

Rather than focusing on textual documents, this cultural module explores areas of German and Austrian history with a focus on periods of dictatorship through the study of objects. Students examine different categories of object and the problems they pose for curators wishing to preserve and display them. By considering these implications, students develop a greater understanding of the role of museum objects as signifiers and agents within national cultural memory.

MLG3036 – Professor Chloe Paver

Classics: Ancient Journeys and Migrants

This module takes an in depth look at the movement of peoples throughout history, especially in the Ancient Mediterranean. It asks students how this can inform our understanding of movements in the modern world and thereby builds connections between researchers and students in different contexts, including those of displacement. The course was conducted in collaboration with an educational initiative in Palestine, Campus in Campus, drawing on the Collective Dictionary as the tool deployed to explore knowledge beyond the boundaries of preconceived and dogmatic forms of learning and dialectic. In the same way that students are asked to investigate how the nature of concepts changes from the perspective of different historical contexts, so the Collective Dictionary allows for the exploration of how concepts change when viewed from the perspective of the Camp. For the purpose of this initiative, through the lens of the Ancient Greek concept of Xenia (guest friendship - hospitality), the aim was to explore in common how classical rites of hospitality and duty to strangers in need, could be relevant to our society today - and how that in turn helps us to get new insights into the ancient world. The content of the resulting booklet, using various mediums, draws its inspiration from shared experiences, journeys, stories and knowledge.

CLA3268 – Professor Elena Isayev

A creative and enterprising team player

Business and Management: Events Management

The group project and Dragons' Den presentation format within these modules enables students to experience working as a team across a variety of different roles, such as promoter, project manager, production manager PR manager and marketing manager. Alongside working in these positions to put together their idea and pitch, each group is required to submit a meeting minutes as well as collective, peer and individual reflections. This not only gives students the opportunity to practise teamwork in a way that emulates real-life business situations, but also allows them to consider what constitutes good teamwork and to reflect on how effective they were in this.

BEM2023/3018 – Dr Holly Henderson

Anthropology: Imagining Social Worlds: Artefacts

The group project element of this module requires students to work together to research into an everyday artefact of their choice. Each group is encouraged to meet regularly and organise their research through the use of a team 'wiki'. The module culminates in a course conference presentation with discussion, where each group presents their findings to the class. This module thus enables students to work together successfully as a team to take a project from its conception to its completion.

ANT1008/SOC1008 – Professor Michael Schillmeier

Mathematics: Mathematics Group Project

This module has been designed in conjunction with students to develop demonstrable skills for potential employers. It challenges students to work in large groups of 8 individuals (with a project adviser) to conduct a term-long research project on an open mathematical problem, involving independent data gathering and analysis against published literature. The assessment gives students practice in group project management, as well as self-reflection and peer-evaluation of the team's progress throughout the project. This develops and strengthens students’ abilities to plan, research, work as a team and present to a high level. These skills are then demonstrated in the production of a final project report.

ECM3735 – Dr Barrie Cooper

Geography: Geographies of Material Culture

In this module, groups of students must keep in mind ideas of globalisation and involving public audiences for continuous formative work involving the use of, and potential contribution to, the convenor's online research database (followthethings.com). The course incorporates group work relying on students' research skills, teamwork and creativity. Learning through group work rather than traditional lecture style is intended to alter relationships between staff and students (including involvement of PhD students) to create an environment in which to learn from each other and promote diverse ideas. The module also uses a WordPress blog which invites students to ask questions, discuss course material, and engage with the lecturer online.

GEO3123 – Professor Ian Cook

An engaged and participative leader

Politics: Democracy in the EU

One of several modules that allows students to simulate real-life situations, this module examines the relationship between Democracy and the EU from a political scientific perspective, offering students the chance to develop their own independent position on the debate by equipping them with analytical and communication skills, as well as a familiar knowledge of the subject. It provides students with the opportunity to develop and display leadership traits such as confident public communication and collaborative working through group presentations on contentious subjects in civil society, and the unique simulation of recent EU legislative processes. These assessments allow students to communicate persuasive arguments confidently in a critical environment, while evaluating ideas from group members and opposing teams.

POL3196 – Dr Sandra Kröger

Politics: War and Peace in the Middle East

This module provides students with the opportunity to examine the controversy in political issues from an independent position and encourages development of their own perspectives regarding Middle Eastern politics. It operates an innovative method of developing strong leadership skills such as confident communication, collaborative working, and persuasive debating experience in students through a simulated peace talks exercise between Israel and Palestine. These exercises vary each year according to recent political events, and allocate multiple positions and roles to students within a structure of critical investigation. Multiple stages of the exercise are conducted over a four week period, with group presentations and written submissions involving strategy documents, position papers, team meetings, conflict resolution and a resolved collective decision.

POL2038 – Dr Irene Fernandez-Molina

Centre for Leadership Studies (Business School): Leadership and Teams

This module explores leadership as a theoretical and practical subject to provide students with an understanding of the dynamics and requirements of effective leadership, and an awareness of methods to enhance personal and team communication, negotiation, motivation and performance. Students develop and demonstrate their own leadership skills through a range of guest speakers sharing their experiences, and guidance on leadership and group work. Students also participate in various collaborative activities including role play and an assignment comprising a short film on an unspecified challenge. This film analyses community concern and leadership responses to this challenge its potential implications, whilst providing a group summary report.

CLS1001 – Mr James Stewart

Centre for Leadership Studies (Business School): Leading Change in Practice

In this module, students explore the nuances of change in themselves, organisations, and communities, and develop a comprehensive understanding of how to become a successful change agent through self-development. Through collaboration and cooperation with others, reflection on personal resources and challenges and a demonstration of leading practical change, students develop valuable leadership and team management skills. Personal development portfolios provide students with an extensive opportunity to evaluate their profile, vision, goals, reflective activities and conclusions to 'Know Thyself' in order to enhance self-awareness. Students also produce a critical, personal paper to demonstrate the leadership skills they have developed throughout the module.

CLS3005 – Dr Inmaculada Adarves-Yorno

A confident, resilient and adaptable individual

Biosciences: Science in Society

This module focuses on addressing the misunderstanding and division between scientists and society along with developing methods of communicating current scientific research to solve real-world problems. Students are offered the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their oral and written communication skills with a presentation workshop, a Question Time media panel session and group debates and discussions. They create a press release, highlighting a scientific article and conveying the information to a general public readership. A concise informative presentation relating to a public opinion on a controversial issue in the field accompanies the construction of a science communication project. These allow the student to select their own method of communication, their own scientific issue of controversy or contention in society, and their own target audience to create an informative document.

BIO3411 – Dr Kelly Moyes

This module offers students the chance to incorporate personal, independent field research in a video project in Arabic. This module offers the opportunity to develop talents as a producer, director, editor and communicator as well as allowing them to showcase their personal research using digital media and methods. It highlights their adaptability in locating resources and acting creatively in a foreign country, while studying, working and producing this project in a foreign language. The project finishes with a screening and Q&A session, further demonstrating the student's confidence and public speaking skills.

ARA2011 – Ms Fatima Rawan

Business: Social Enterprise Management

Students are encouraged to research the use of social media in social enterprise or innovation. Firstly, they work in groups to develop a social enterprise business plan for a social enterprise of their choice, with guidance and networking from a range of invited guest speakers. They then deliver an oral presentation on concepts and principles in social enterprise. Working with external partners and delivering oral presentations builds students’ confidence in public speaking and networking, while working with real-world examples forces students to adapt to new situations.